Updating Your Kitchen in a Snap

For many families, the kitchen is the most important room in the house, topping the list of rooms where they gather most. And it’s almost always the busiest room when entertaining friends.

But if your kitchen is outmoded or looking just plain drab, some easy, cost-efficient updates can make it more inviting, without undertaking a major remodeling job.

WALLS

Wallpaper styles come and go. And if your walls were papered more than a few years ago, you are probably living with a design that’s no longer in fashion.

For a timeless look, strip the dated wall-paper and replace it with a bright new coat of paint. Be sure to choose a color that nicely complements the floors, countertops and cabinets.

For a modern take on wallpaper, look for mosaic tile collections that showcase beautiful tiles and patterns, providing texture for any wall in your home. For example, Trend USA offers patterns ideally suited to give tired accent walls a fresh twist.

COUNTERTOPS

Inconvenience is a major factor with a full kitchen remodel. But you can update the overall appearance of the kitchen by redoing just the countertops. For example, Granite Transformations, a kitchen and bathroom remodeling company, can transform a kitchen in one day by replacing your countertops with heat, cold and scratch resistant glass or granite.

For an even more elegant look, consider opting for mosaic tiles, inspired by traditional Italian glass mosaics.

If you’re nervous about making such a drastic change, fear not. New technologies are making it easier for consumers to visualize potential refurbishments. A new iPad application, iGRANITE, for instance, allows users to upload a snapshot of their space, and change the colors and textures of every surface of the room. More details about downloading the app can be found at www.granitetransformations.com.

APPLIANCES

When is the last time you replaced your kitchen appliances? No appliance, however durable, will perform optimally forever. It may be time to evaluate if your products are really doing the job.

Replacing major appliances like stoves and refrigerators might sound like an expensive prospect, but outdated products are not always as energy-efficient as newer models. Swapping these items will not only give your kitchen a sleek new look, they might also save you money on utilities in the long run.

According to real estate experts, kitchen updates offer homeowners the highest return on investment than any other home improvement job. So whether you’re planning to sell your home or simply bring it into the 21st century, you’d be wise to start with the kitchen.